23 January, 2023

Gunnedah Shire Council is preparing to host the inaugural Crime Prevention and Community Safety Conference from 22-23 November.

The two-day conference is aimed at local government and practitioners in community safety and crime prevention and will feature key note speakers from a diverse range of backgrounds, both local and beyond, to discuss emerging trends in crime, and the latest developments and approaches in resolving and enhancing safety in local communities. 

The event is being organised by Gunnedah Shire’s Crime Prevention and Community Safety Working Group, and Chair Cr Colleen Fuller said it would be of particular interest to community safety practitioners, criminal justice personnel, law and policymakers and students.

“While the program has not yet been finalised, we are looking to attract speakers that will share ideas around innovative approaches to crime and community safety, while offering practical examples of solutions that can be used in a variety of metropolitan, regional and rural settings.

“Topics could potentially include domestic and family violence, coercive control, child safety, crime and mental health, youth crime, community safety and the impact of natural disasters, crime prevention and the night time economy, terrorism and crowded places management, and graffiti management, to name a few.”

Cr Fuller said it would also provide a boost to the Shire’s economy as the working group seeks to attract more than 100 delegates.

“It’s an opportunity to showcase what our Shire has to offer, with the dates determined to encourage delegates to stay a little longer, to experience what the region has to offer.

“We are already working with local businesses and entertainment providers to create some unique experiences for delegates.”

The conference will be held in the Gunnedah Town Hall and Smithurst Theatre.

Council first voted to endorse the event in May 2019 but the project was put on hold due to the drought, COVID-19 pandemic and successive flooding.

The working group includes a range of elected representatives, Council staff and representatives from local support services, Gunnedah Chamber of Commerce, business and industry, and interested community members.

For more information on the Crime Prevention and Community Safety Conference, contact Council’s Community and Social Planner on (02) 6740 2100.

Caption: Gunnedah Shire’s Crime Prevention and Community Safety Working Group Chair Colleen Fuller with Council’s Community and Social Planner Debra Hilton at the Gunnedah Town Hall where the inaugural Crime Prevention and Community Safety Conference will be held in November.

ENDS

For more information, contact Gunnedah Shire Council’s Communications team on (02) 6740 2100.